The Isthmus of Suez Question

In this richly detailed memoir, a French minister recounts his 1854 journey across the Libyan desert to meet Egypt’s Viceroy Mohammed Saïd, where the bold notion of cutting a canal through the Isthmus of Suez first emerged. He describes the stark desert landscape, the political climate, and the invitation to draft a formal proposal that would be presented to both Ottoman and European powers. The narrative captures the excitement of a visionary project that could reshape global trade.

Accompanied by veteran engineers Linant Bey and Mougel Bey, the author records a meticulous survey of the terrain, outlining a canal thirty leagues long, a hundred metres wide and eight metres deep, with a cost estimate comparable to major European railways. He details diplomatic exchanges with the Sultan, British agents, and French officials, emphasizing the desire for a multinational company to fund and manage the work. The account offers a rare glimpse into the blend of engineering ambition and international politics that set the stage for one of history’s most transformative waterways.